Mixed herbicidal compositions

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/US96/03289 Sec. 371 Date Sep. 12, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Sep. 12, 1997 PCT Filed Mar. 8, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/28027 PCT Pub. Date Sep. 19, 1996Homogeneous herbicidal compositions were prepared by dissolving a water-insoluble ester of fluroxypyr or triclopyr in an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or amine salt of an herbicidal acid, such as 2,4-D, MCPA, or dicamba.

I claim: 
     
       1. A herbicidal composition which is a stable, homogeneous aqueous solution concentrate comprising a herbicidal salt and a dissolved water-insoluble herbicide wherein the herbicidal salt is about 15 to about 80 percent by weight of the composition and is a sodium, potassium, ammonia, dimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, or triethanolamine salt of 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba); 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D); 2-methyl-4-chloro-phenoxyacetic acid (MCPA); 2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid (CMPP, mecoprop); 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid (2,4-DP); 4-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid (MCPB); 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid (2,4-DB); or ((3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)acetic acid (triclopyr) and the water-insoluble herbicide is about 2.5 to about 40 percent by weight of the composition and is a C 6  -C 12  alkanol or C 6  -C 12  alkoxyalkanol ester of fluroxypyr or triclopyr or 1-(1-(1-butoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propoxy)-2-propyl ester of fluroxypyr which is a liquid at 25° C. and wherein the weight ratio of water-insoluble herbicide to herbicidal salt is about 1:12 to about 1:1; and wherein the composition contains essentially no water-miscible or water-immiscible co-solvent. 
     
     
       2. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the water-insoluble herbicide is said ester of fluroxypyr. 
     
     
       3. A composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein the water-insoluble herbicide is a 1-butoxy-2-propyl, 1-butoxy-2-butyl, 1-(1-methoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propyl, 1-(1-butoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propyl, 1-(1-(1-methoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propoxy)-2-propyl, 1-(1-(1-butoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propoxy)-2-propyl, or 2-ethylhexyl ester. 
     
     
       4. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the herbicidal salt is said salt of 2,4-D or MCPA. 
     
     
       5. A composition as claimed in claim 4 wherein the herbicidal salt is the dimethylamine, triethylamine, potassium, or ethanolamine salt. 
     
     
       6. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amount of the herbicidal salt is from 40 to 70 percent by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       7. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amount of the water-insoluble herbicide is from 5 to 30 percent by weight of the composition. 
     
     
       8. A sprayable herbicidal composition prepared by diluting a composition as claimed in claim 1 with water. 
     
     
       9. A method of controlling the growth of weeds, which method comprises applying to the locus of the weeds a composition as claimed in claim 8. 
     
     
       10. A composition as claimed in claim 8 wherein the water-insoluble herbicide is a 1-butoxy-2-propyl, 1-butoxy-2-butyl, 1-(1-methoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propyl, 1-(1-butoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propyl, 1-(1-(1-methoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propoxy)-2-propyl, 1-(1-(1-butoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propoxy)-2-propyl, or 2-ethylhexyl ester of fluroxypyr. 
     
     
       11. A composition as claimed in claim 8 wherein the herbicidal salt is a dimethylamine, triethylamine, potassium, or ethanolamine salt of 2,4-D or MCPA. 
     
     
       12. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the water-insoluble herbicide is a 1-butoxy-2-propyl, 1-butoxy-2-butyl, 1-(1-methoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propyl, 1-(1-butoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propyl, 1(1-(1-methoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propoxy)-2-propyl, 1-(1-(1-butoxy-2-propoxy)-2-propoxy)-2-propyl, or 2-ethylhexyl ester of fluroxypyr. 
     
     
       13. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the herbicidal salt is a dimethylamine, triethylamine, potassium, or ethanolamine salt of 2,4-D or MCPA.